Introduction to Cinema Studies

Subject CICU10001 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 4.5
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 107-132 Introduction to Cinema Studies
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Wendy Haslem, Prof Barbara Creed

Contact

Wendy Haslem

wlhaslem@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the study of film language and theory. It is organised around these two separate but related areas. The film language component covers two interrelated topics that are essential for an understanding of the cinema; film aesthetics and film history. The subject begins with the early silent cinema and progresses through to an analysis of related contemporary new media forms. Key topics of narrative, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, cinematography and the studio system are studied in this historical context. The history of film language is studied in relation to films drawn from the following movements: the Hollywood studio system, Russian formalism, surrealism, German expressionism, Italian neo-realism, French New Wave, New Hollywood and contemporary art house cinema. The film theory component of the subject presents a study of the key theories: genre theory, auteurism, the classic text, gender, psychoanalysis, postcolonial, entertainment and new media theory, that have informed film aesthetics and the history of the cinema.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

  • understand the fundamental aspects of film form, including key techniques of film style and narration;
  • be able to understand key concepts in the history of cinema and the significance of national, stylistic and aesthetics movements to that history;
  • be able to understand the importance of film and cultural theory to the study of the cinema.
Assessment:

A quiz of 1000 words 20% (done during semester), a research report of 1000 words 30% (due during the semester), an essay of 2000 words 40% (due at the end of semester) and a class paper and participation 10%. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

  • possess effective written communication skills;

  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Bachelor of Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cinema Studies Major
Media and Communications
Screen and Cultural Studies
Screen and Cultural Studies
Screen and Cultural Studies
Related Breadth Track(s): Screen Studies
Screen Studies && Art History

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